With the return of the hospitality industry, many weekends will now see a usual routine.
Pre-drinks in someone's house or apartment, then on to the pub, possibly a nightclub after that or even a house party.
After two years of having no major blow-outs, many will be anxious to get out and about, but they will need to be careful.
Gardai do have the power to take action if things start getting rowdy.
Helpfully, the Government, via the Citizens Information website, have now clarified the rules around disturbing the peace.
Here's the appropriate action to take if you need to make a complaint.
If your neighbour is making too much noise
The Gardaí have the power to arrest a person for breach of the peace in a public place.
They may ask someone to lower the noise coming from a dwelling but they do not have the power to enter a dwelling with the intention of simply asking someone to lower the noise. If the noise is persistent, you may complain to the District Court.
Rented dwellings
If the noise is coming from a rented dwelling and you don’t get a satisfactory response from the tenants, you can complain to the landlord – whether this is a private landlord, a local authority or a housing association.
Dogs
If you don’t get a satisfactory response from the dog owner, you may complain to the District Court, using the form prescribed under the Control of Dogs Act. These forms are available from local authorities.
The court may make an order requiring the occupier of the premises in which the dog is kept to abate the nuisance by exercising due control over a dog. The court may limit the number of dogs that can be kept on a premises or may direct that a dog be delivered to a dog warden to be dealt with as unwanted.
